Vladimir Buzaev. We'll worry about reality

To the question, not whether to call the protests in Riga against the planned government closure of Russian schools the nuclear nightmare that is shown in sensational film BBC, and the answer was that the schools of national minorities should not be touched, which caused a broad response media due to the transfer of a fragment of the interview in a more common language in the world, quickly made a portal Delfi.

It is good that the Chairman of the party, having the largest faction in the Sejm, has finally expressed his negative opinion about the plans of liquidation of education in minority languages updated 12 of January in the statement of the then candidate for Prime Minister, and from February 11, fixed in the government Declaration. But the arguments presented in support of this crucial for Russian community of Latvia position, to put it mildly, have room for improvement.

Overly optimistic seems to be the main thesis Ushakov that "the current system [of education of national minorities] is now working perfectly." This thesis is supported by quite a faithful reference to what pupils of schools of national minorities pass the exams to the same standards that pupils of Latvian schools, but not confirmed facts the assertion that "and the results are about the same".

I have had to write that the transition to uniform standards of training and passing exams in the Latvian language became for Russian schoolchildren in a real disaster. This is to introduce a common for elves and trolls standards on archery, though it is possible, for example, would be to invite them to compete in freestyle wrestling.

Comparative analysis of the results of this single exam 2015 high school graduates among 6285 Latvian, and 1579 — Russian school (all day secondary schools and gymnasiums of all types) is simply stunning.

The lowest category (A1) surrendered just 25 students of Latvian and Russian 102. But at the highest (C2) — 637 and 8 respectively. For the attention of the mayor of Riga — from 102 underachieving 62 (61%) studied in Riga. But the 8 students of Riga represent only 50% (respectively 34, 35, 95 middle school and high school Purvciema). Three more polyglot studied in Daugavpils and one in Rezekne.

It is a good indicators to Riga or bad? In order to answer the question, you should look at the statistics of the distribution of students by region.

In the dynamics of this statistic indicates the anticipatory liquidation of schools of national minorities strong-willed decisions of local governments. Since 1998 the number of Russian schools was reduced by half, Latvian — only 12%. In rural areas, with the exception of Latgale, to get even primary education in Russian is not possible. In Kurzeme 2014 Russian classes have been completely eliminated, in the Vidzeme and Zemgale regions on a Russian student has almost 300 adults of Russian, one Latvian — Latvians 10 adults.

This mayhem does not explain the fertility decline, which the Russians have indeed much lower than the Latvians. From 2008 to 2014, the average occupancy rate of Latvian schools has decreased from 212 to 205 students, and Russian — has increased from 391 to 466 students. Russian students have concentrated in the big cities, mainly in Riga.

The proportion of Riga in schools of national minorities from 2002 to 2014 has increased from 51% to 58%, and the proportion of high school students was 64%. The last figure is the benchmark for regional comparison of results of exams.

The sad results of unified exam of Latvian language, consistently recurring since 2012, not amazing. This was to be expected from the production of unequal groups in equal conditions favorable for only one of them. And the same results should be expected from the translation into the Latvian language of instruction all subjects — from mathematics to cross stitch.

Moreover, for mathematics, which in most cases, and come under those 60% of subjects taught in Russian schools on the Latvian language, this "elf-Troll" phenomenon is proven. In the relevant final exam for the past 10 years can clearly be seen progressive gap the results between Latvian and Russian pupils, and they even reversed: the results of graduates of the Latvian schools in the early period were significantly worse and now is much better. Interestingly, this pattern is concerning, and other exact subjects, most clearly observed in entrusted to Mr. Ushakov, the Riga schools.

From the above concentrations of students it can be concluded that the fate of school education in languages of national minorities is largely in the hands of a Russian mayor of Riga. We should not forget that Riga city Council is the founder of the vast majority from schools in Riga and has huge statutory effect as to the appointment of Directors and selection of training programs where such a choice exists. And the main minority school while the law provides for the voluntary choice of several recommended by the government models that differ only in degree of use of the Latvian language as the language of instruction. For example, the first (and what else?) the model provides a degree of ablative that graduates cannot continue their education in secondary schools, where still 40% of Russian-language education remain.

When the government Tuesday in his first composition was assumed similar to the current government commitments about the transfer of all schools solely on the Latvian language (as a result of the campaign of protest that commitment from the program was subsequently seized!) it is possible to implement the programme fell to the Minister of education Ine Druviete, which the current Minister Shadurskis worth it! She decided artless volunteer force to implement the basic school model, putting pressure on Directors. Now, the resistance of the government this way latisepala Russian schools, not changing laws, is impossible in principle!

But our mayor not then problems in an emphasis did not see, and now not to notice. He interviews his claims that the elimination of education in Russian language is not binding thesis government programs, and becoming a competition "dining on the children of idiots", among whom he calls by name the 27 - year bachelor of science Janis Dumbrava and the 69-year-old doctor of pedagogics Jacob Pliner. However, he on one Board puts not only those still not popular with his people but also their ideas: "restoration of the Republic" during K. Ulmanis or return to the system of free choice of language of education, characteristic of independent Latvia until 1934.

Yakov Gdalevich, by the way, latest idea in practice carried out in the early 90's, heading the Department of education of national minorities in the then Ministry of education. The Nile and left a legacy of several established schools of national minorities, which Neil now and operates within the framework demonstrated in the interview level of competence.

We should not forget that rapid reduction takes place Russian schools in Riga, and the "achievements" of these during his stay Ushakov, the mayor is also quite impressive. During his "office" is closed 16 Russian schools, more than any other mayor, including from the party of Dombrova. The average occupancy rate of Russian schools increased from 548 to 670 students.

So, deliver us Lord, from such counsel and only with the enemies we ourselves have to manage somehow.